$183 million set aside for new Coast roads, paths, bridges

SOME of the largest infrastructure projects in Sunshine Coast's history will be undertaken over the next 12 months.

Catering for the region's growing population to improve the community's lifestyle is at the heart of the 2015-16 $183 million capital works program," Sunshine Coast Council stated in a press release after its budget meeting this morning.

Maroochydore's Evans St upgrade is underway and night works will begin tonight. john mccutcheon

Mayor Mark Jamieson said to achieve this, the program would maintain current assets and deliver new capital projects.

"Maintaining and improving the nearly 3000km of roads, 448 bridges and more than 1100km of pathways - the distance from here to Townsville - is a big part of this year's capital program," Mayor Jamieson said.

Projects to get the nod are as follows:

$11.9 million for Evans St, Maroochydore upgrade (plus $7.8 million in 2016-17)

$3.2 million for Sunshine Coast Aerospace Precinct

$2.7 million for Caloundra streetscaping - Bulcock St and surrounds (plus $5.8 million over 10 years)

$2.6 million for Minyama to Mooloolaba cycleway

$2.4 million for Sippy Creek animal pound (a total of $4.6 million over two years)

$2.3 million to upgrade North Arm-Yandina Creek Rd, North Arm (a total of $3.2 million over two years

$1.4 million to replace Eumundi Range Rd, Eumundi bridge

$1.2 million for Goshawk Blvd, Sippy Downs (link between Stringybark and Power Rds)

SUNSHINE Coast Council says it ha delivered a budget which will continue to grow the local economy and create better paying jobs, protect the region's environment and lifestyle and fund game-changing projects to benefit generations to come.

The council has dropped some waste charges to help the environment and will refund more than $2 million in carbon tax charges to the majority of ratepayers in the form of a $17 carbon tax rebate.

This results in the majority of ratepayers seeing an increase of just $1.65 on their July rate notice compared to the same period last year.

The bottom line rate increase for the majority of ratepayers will be 1.5% - $20.30 over the 12 months after discount or 39 cents a week.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the $588 million 2015-16 budget balanced delivering its important core responsibilities with implementing a visionary direction to shape the region's future and includes a $183 million capital works program.

"This is a budget that has the community of today and tomorrow at its very heart," Mayor Jamieson said.

"It is no secret we are on the cusp on one of the most important chapters in the region's history and today's budget sets us up to achieve our goal of becoming Australia's most sustainable region - vibrant, green, diverse."

The council has allocated $98 million to maintain, renew and replace roads, pathways and stormwater.

There's also more than $40 million for economic initiatives including major events, airports and holiday parks and to help businesses already here and attract new ones.

The budget includes $58 million to maintain, renew and replace council's many parks and gardens and sporting facilities, and more than $34 million for libraries, galleries and community facilities.

Mayor Jamieson said the majority of ratepayers would pay the minimum general rate of $1110 per annum.

A standard 240 litre wheelie bin will increase by $6.90 per annum.

Ratepayers will receive a $17 refund in their July rates notice due to the carbon tax changes.

UPDATE 9.30AM:

IN a shock move, Caloundra Councillor TIm Dwyer has said he won't support the 2015/16 budget.

Cr Dwyer said he didn't agree with the rating methodology used and his attempts to get it looked at by council staff had been put in the top hard basket.

He says the rating methodology has million dollar properties paying the same as hundreds of thousand dollar homes.

Cr Dwyer also questioned Mayor Mark Jamieson's comment the budget had been achieved with no reduction in service delivery.

"We have to be careful as some services in my area which used to be done in two or three weeks now takes six".

EARLIER:

FROM 9am today, 11 people will get together in Nambour to make a decision that will affect your back pocket.

Sunshine Coast councillors will be holding their Special Meeting to approve the budget for the next financial year.

The council report recommends a 3% increase in the general minimum rates and a 2.6% increase in wheelie bins.